Card Number 251, Grace Barton, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This is a promotional card for Duke Cigarettes, likely printed around the late 19th century, featuring actress Grace Barton. The sepia tone flattens the image, creating a sense of depthlessness and emphasizing the sitter's pose. Barton is shown in profile against a neutral background. Notice the careful attention to her hairstyle, with its intricate curls contrasting against the smooth contour of her cheek. The composition is simple, almost diagrammatic in its presentation of feminine beauty as a commodity. The text below Barton's image boldly asserts that "Duke Cigarettes Are The Best," revealing the card's commercial intent. Yet, the image's formal qualities elevate it beyond mere advertisement. The card disrupts the categories of art and commerce by using the actress's likeness to imbue the cigarettes with glamour and sophistication. This tension invites us to reflect on the broader cultural codes at play and consider the evolving relationship between representation, identity, and consumerism.